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From the Desk of the Main Street Program Director

Main Street looking for new VISTA

by Rae Gosling, Grayling Main Street Executive Director

Is anyone else surprised that it is June? I certainly am! With all the exciting things happening Downtown, this year seems to just be flying by. Over the last few of weeks, I have shared with you the value that community support supplies Grayling Main Street (GMSt). Community resources like volunteer hours and financial contributions are without a doubt two of our biggest assets. This week I want to discuss a different asset within our program, the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) member that serves with GMSt.

Many of you may already know, or have read about Miss Heather Tait. She is very active in our community with not only GMSt, but also in Project Rising Tide (PRT) tasks, and the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. She has been a delightful addition to the GMSt team these last nine months. Unfortunately, her time is drawing to a close.

VISTA members commit to one year of service in exchange for benefits such as: a living allowance comparable to the poverty level of the community in which they are serving, an education or cash award at the end of service, separate vacation and sick time banks, and non-competitive eligibility status for one year following service.

This past year our VISTA worked toward developing a better system for volunteer data storage and volunteer recruitment, increasing our communication with volunteers and friends of GMSt, as well as promoting the new brand and logo for Downtown Grayling. We are currently looking for volunteers to take over the programs she built, including: volunteers to assist with social media content, committee members interested in volunteer recruitment, and committee members with creative ways to continue to promote the Downtown Grayling destination.

In addition to searching for new volunteers, I am also searching for a new VISTA member to serve with GMSt. The new VISTA will begin their service the last week of August 2017, and serve through August of 2018. The goals and objective for the new VISTA member include: enhancing the fundraising programming for GMSt, and business attraction resource development for the Grayling area in conjunction with the PRT Steering Committee and Crawford County Economic Development Partnership (CCEDP) Attraction Committee.

Application are being accepted right now. Interviews will be conducted by the end of June, and final candidate selection will be completed by the first of July. This position does not start until the end of August, so those interested in the position will be able to maintain current, or summer, employment until approximately August 28.

This position is open to applicants over the age of 18, and at a minimum you must be a high school graduate or have a GED. This position is full-time, Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and weekend requirements. There is some travel for training that is required throughout the year, so applicants must have a driver’s license and be available for occasional overnight travel.

If you are interested in learning more about the position, the benefits, and what it means to be an AmeriCorps VISTA member, please contact me in the GMSt office, or visit www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps, for more information about the program.

Want to know more about what GMSt has going on? Check back in future editions of the Avalanche for more From the Main Street Director’s Desk. You can also check out our website, www.DowntownGrayling.com, find us on Facebook, or email your questions to DowntownGrayling@gmail.com.

Rae Gosling is the Program Director for Grayling Main Street. She has been with GMSt since April 2016. She is a Grayling resident, wife, mother, local shopper, avid supporter of all things Grayling, and keeps everyone on their toes wondering what color her hair will be next.